Sylvanus s



(No Model.)

S. S. STARING.

STEP LADDER.

No. 359,186. Patented Mar. 8,

N, PETERSv Phqm-mric m lmn Washin ion. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SYLVANUS S. STARING, OF SILVER GREEK, NEW YORK.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359,186, dated March 8, 1887.

Application filed February 12, 1886. Serial No. 191,747. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SYLVANUS S. Smnnve, of Silver'Creek, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of step-ladders which are provided with a hinged standard pivoted to the top of the ladder and adapted to support the ladder when extended, and a supporting-brace pivoted to the standard and adjnstably attached to the body of the ladder, whereby the ladder can be folded up when not in use.

The object of my invention is to produce a light, strong, and simple ladder of this char actor, and also to provide the ladder with an adjustable shelf which can be folded against the standard,when not required,while the ladder is in use.

The invention consists of the improvements, which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of my improved step-ladder set up for use. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the ladder. Fig. 3 is a partly sectional view, and Fig. 4 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale, of the means whereby the end of the brace is adj ustably attached to the body of the ladder. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section in line mm, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the center portion of one of the side braces. Fig. Us a cross-section in line w m, Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the locking-plate secured to the side braces.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A A represent the side pieces of the body of the ladder, and B are the steps arranged between the side pieces and secured with their ends in mort-ises formed in the inner sides of the side pieces, A, in the usual manner.

1) represents truss-rods or braces arranged transversely below the steps B, and connecting the side pieces, A A. A truss-rod, Z), is arranged below each step B, and its ends project through the side pieces, A, and are riveted or headed on the outer side of the side pieces. The truss-rods b are preferably straight when they are first inserted through the side pieces, and are made a trifle longer than the width of the ladder, so that their headed ends will project slightly beyond the outer sides of the side pieces, A.

1) represents a block or wedge, which is inserted between the under side of each step and the rod next below it by bending the rod 1) near its center outward or away from the step. Upon bending the rods to admit the blocks 1/ the headed ends of the rods are drawn inward, thus forcing the side pieces toward each other and the steps into the mortises of the side pieces, and forming connecting-braces for the side pieces and additional braces or supports for the steps B.

0 represents the standard, which is hinged with its upper end to the top piece, D, of the ladder, and E is the brace which connects the lower part of the standard with the body of the ladder. The brace E is hinged with its lower end to a cross-piece, f, of .the standard, and passes with its opposite end through an opening, g, formed on the rear edge of one of the steps B. The opening 9 is formed by the rear edge of the step B, and. a U-shaped bracket or clip, H, which is secured to the step B and projects rearwardly therefrom. The end of the brace is provided with a flat spring, I, which is secured at one end to the brace and bears with its outer free end against the clip H. The outer end of the spring is provided with a hook or open loop, 1', which partly clasps the clip H and holds the end of the brace in the proper position to support the ladder when in use. Upon pressing inwardly on the spring I, so as to disengage its loop 2' from the clip H, the brace can be moved in the opening g to fold up the ladder.

J J are side braces, which are pivoted or hinged with their ends, respectively, to the standard 0 and the side pieces, AA. The braces J are each composed of two parts, j j, hinged together at jr.

K is a clasp or locking-plate, which is secured to one of the portions, j j, and which projects beyond the pivot j, and is provided at its outer end with alaterally-projecting lip, 70, which overlaps the adjacent end of the opposite portion of'thebrace. The lip it extends over the adjacent portion of the brace and depends on one side of the latter, while the body of the plate K rests against the opposite side of the brace. XVhen the ladder is setup for use, as shown in Fig. 1, the braces J are extended, and the clasps K engage over the adjacent end of the jointed portions of each brace and lock the jointed ends of each brace together, thereby holding the two parts of the brace in a horizontal line and forming a straight stiff brace without requiring the braces to be notched or recessed. The clasp k is readily disengaged by pressing upward on the joint or pivot 3"", when both portions of the brace fold together when the ladder is desired to be folded up. The side braces, J, for-1n additional braces for supporting and holding the body of the ladder and the standard in the proper position when the ladder is in use, and prevent the standard from swinging farther from the body of the ladder than is proper and safe.

L represents an adjustable shelf, which is adapted to support a pail or other vessel in using the ladder. The shelf L is pivoted or hinged to the standard by brackets Z, and is supported in a horizontal position by folding braces M, which are pivoted at one end to lugs m, secured to the under side of the shelf, and with their opposite ends to the standard 0 at m. The braces M are constructed of two parts, similar to the side braces, J, and are provided with a hinged joint, 74., which permits the two halves of the braces to fold t0- gether when the joint is pressedinwardl y to ward the standard and the shelf L to be dropped down against the standard out of the way. When the shelf is required to be used, it can be readily raised and the bracesM extended so as to support the shelf in ahorizontal position. By supporting the shelf M in this manner the shelf can be folded out of the way when not required while the ladder 1's in use.

I claim as my invention 1. In a step-1adder, the combination, with the side pieces, A A, and steps 13,01? the transverse truss-rods 7), connecting the side pieces underneath the steps, and the blocks b, interposed between the rods and the under sides of the steps, substantially as set forth.

2. In a step-ladder, the combination, with the body provided with a bracket or clip, H, and the hinged standard G, of a hinged brace, E, connecting the body and the standard, and a spring-hook, I, secured to the brace,and provided near its free end with a depression or recess adapted to engage with the bracket or clip H, substantially as set forth.

\Vitncss my hand this th day of February, 1886.

SYLVANUS S. STARTNG.

Witnesses:

E. HORTON, ELGEM KEITH. 

